Two-time champion Naomi Osaka pulled out of the Australian Open ahead of her third-round clash on Saturday because of an abdominal injury.
The Japanese superstar made the announcement on Instagram, saying she withdrew to “address something my body needs attention for”.
The Japanese star, who made a grand entrance to the competition in a jellyfish-inspired outfit, wrote on Instagram that “it breaks my heart”.
She was due to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis, who goes on to play Iga Swiatek in the last 16.
Meanwhile Stan Wawrinka reflected on his “amazing journey” as he said a heroic final farewell to the Australian Open yesterday in a battling third-round loss to Taylor Fritz.
The ninth seed from the United States sent the wildcard and popular former champion from Switzerland spinning out 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Wawrinka, who made his debut at Melbourne Park in 2006 and won the major in 2014, is playing his last season before retiring.
“I’ve had so many emotions here the last 20 years because of you guys,” three-time Grand Slam winner Wawrinka told the crowd, who had roared him on throughout.
“It’s been an amazing journey. I won my first Grand Slam here and I always enjoy being back.
“I’ve always had so much support and the reason why I was still playing – it’s because of you, because of the love of the game, the emotion you can give me.”
